Races

The Canyons 100K

Auburn, CaliforniaApril

China Wall to Auburn on Western States Trail country. Thirteen thousand feet up. Seventeen thousand down. The Canyons 100K earns its UTMB stones.

100K+9,542 ft-13,291 ft20 hours581 ft to 5,016 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookUTMB World SeriesWestern States TrailRunning StonesApril
Distance100K
Gain+9,542 ft
Loss-13,291 ft
Altitude581 ft to 5,016 ft
Technicality5/10
Air40°F to 90°F
Gradient profileOfficial UTMB race GPX
  • Start5,016 ft
  • High5,016 ft
  • Low581 ft
  • Finish1,267 ft

Field, 2026 · 11-year samplescraped

Starters678
Finish rate80%
Median15:55
Sub-24540

Geometryderived

Steepest drop1,424 ft-12.3% over 2.2 mi

Course records

Men08:04:36Francesco PUPPI2025 scraped
Women09:10:10Katie SCHIDE2024 scraped

The cruxDeadwood double visit and Cal Street climb to Foresthill (near mile 65)

Course DNA

The Course

The Canyons 100K runs 100K through Auburn, California. +9,542 ft gain and -13,291 ft loss. Surfaces skew 90% singletrack / 10% dirt road. Deadwood double visit and Cal Street climb to Foresthill. High point near 5,016 ft. Low near 581 ft. April temps run 40°F to 90°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.

The Work

Train for 9,542 feet of climbing across 100K. Back-to-back long runs on similar surfaces. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 20 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.

Kit

April in Auburn, California: plan for 40°F to 90°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 20 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% singletrack: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.

Race Day

Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Deadwood double visit and Cal Street climb to Foresthill near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.

Results

The Canyons 100K finish lines.

Canyons

100KAuburn

The Canyons 100K

100KAuburn

Train for your race

Train for The Canyons 100K

Course-specific plan, fuel segments, gear kit, and race morning for The Canyons 100K.

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The Canyons 100K

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